In 1970 Brazilian born Igor Cornelsen had just graduated from the Federal University of Parana. That same year he embarked on a career in banking.

Five years earlier at the age of 18, he was accepted to the Federal University of Parana’s Engineering School. Cornelsen was two years into working towards an engineering degree when he decided to change his career trajectory. Remaining at the University of Parana he changed his major to economics. His engineering classes actually put him at an advantage in the banking industry.

Forty-eight years ago the use of electronics like computers and calculators was uncommon in the banking industry. His engineering studies taught him the use of a slide rule. In banking, he would use a slide rule to figure compound interest. Check more at ideamensch.com for more info.

It wasn’t long before Cornelsen’s talent for finance became obvious. In 1974 he was presented with the opportunity to study investment banking. A stand-out in his class he was given a seat on the Multibanco’s Board of Directors. By the time his career with Multibanco ended two years later he was CEO of the company.

After Bank of America acquired Multibanco Cornelsen moved to Unibanco. He spent nine years at Unibanco before entering the employ of Libra Bank PLC a subsidiary of London Merchant Bank. The next stop on Igor Cornelsen’s career path was Standard Chartered Merchant Bank.

He would serve as SCMB’s Brazilian representative and was a member of the board of directors. He struck out on his own in 1995. Twenty-three years later Igor Cornelsen remains an investment banker taking a hands-on approach to the operation of his investment fund.

Today he is based out of Sao Paulo. The beginning of his day coincides with the 8:00 am opening of the European Markets. Cornelsen’s main source of information for managing his investments is Reuters News web service. He states that Reuters’ neutrality and accuracy make it a more dependable source of information than investors or even market analyst.